Religion

Dr. Derren Thompson, Senior Pastor of More Than Conquerors Worship Center, advocates for a structured pastoral framework to address the often-unacknowledged crisis of divorce within Black churches, framing the experience as 'complicated grief' for congregants.

Myesha Chaney, former First Lady of Antioch Church of Long Beach, addresses the social stigma and isolation faced by divorced women within Black faith communities, drawing on her personal experience and new book to foster a broader dialogue on divorce and belonging.

Yale professor and theologian Rev. Dr. Eboni Marshall Turman has launched Harlem First, an emerging Christian fellowship in Harlem. The initiative seeks to establish an inclusive worship community by integrating Black culture, scholarship, and diverse leadership, welcoming all participants as essential.

Interviews with divorced church members, therapists, and ministry leaders reveal a troubling pattern where patriarchal traditions influence the perception of fault and congregational inclusion following marital dissolution, highlighting a critical need for religious institutions to enhance support systems and understanding for individuals navigating divorce.

Dr. LeKesha Attuquayefio's multifaceted ministry, encompassing preaching, leadership development, digital content creation, international missions, and mentorship for women in ministry, draws its foundational inspiration from her grandmother's consistent practice of prayer. This extensive work is dedicated to guiding believers toward an intensified life in God.

The immersive choreopoem "Pray" at Baltimore Center Stage invites audiences to participate in a Black church service, transforming spectators into active congregants. The production explores Black spirituality beyond denominational boundaries, embracing a spectrum of faith traditions and honoring the range of queerness and human experience, notably serving as a love letter to Black women and femmes.

Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell, founder of Atlanta’s 2819 Church, has significantly elevated his standing within evangelical Christianity by appearing as a featured speaker at Forward Conference 2026. This event, hosted by Jentezen Franklin, a pastor known for his close ties to former President Donald Trump, positions Mitchell alongside influential leaders and signals his growing acceptance within a movement that often functions as an informal credentialing system. Mitchell, a millennial pastor who emphasizes personal holiness over traditional Black church social justice, now shares a platform that expands his national reach.

Dr. Nathanael-Israel Israel, following a 12-year study of cosmological data, asserts that the Genesis creation account is scientifically verifiable. The scientist proposes a mathematical formula as empirical evidence, introducing a new dimension to the long-standing debate concerning the compatibility of science and faith.

Project TURN, a program at Duke Divinity School, unites divinity students and incarcerated individuals for theological, ethical, and Christian history studies within correctional facilities. This initiative challenges traditional prison ministry by positioning incarcerated participants as fellow students and theologians, fostering mutual transformation and educational equity.

The Southern Baptist Convention has advanced a constitutional amendment that would formalize restrictions on women serving as pastors, a development that for many Black church leaders exposes a broader reality: women are often essential to ministry but excluded from many of its highest positions.